Donkey Kong Bananza Finally Reveals the Truth Behind Pauline and DK’s Relationship
Donkey Kong Bananza’s Ending Sheds Light on the DK Timeline Mystery
If you’ve been scratching your head over the confusing Donkey Kong timeline, Donkey Kong Bananza might just clear up one big question. The game has finally arrived, and with it comes some clarity about where it fits in the larger Donkey Kong and Mario universe — especially regarding the appearance of a younger Pauline and how her story connects to the rest of the series.
- Donkey Kong Bananza is a prequel to Super Mario Odyssey
- Pauline appears as a teen chasing her dream of becoming a musician
- The game redefines Pauline and Donkey Kong’s relationship
- It hints at Pauline’s “captured by ape” story in Odyssey
- Connections to Donkey Kong Country and Rare’s games remain unclear
Bananza as a Prequel to Super Mario Odyssey
One of the most important facts revealed by Donkey Kong Bananza is that it takes place before Super Mario Odyssey. In Odyssey, we meet an adult Pauline, the mayor of New Donk City, who’s also a popular singer. Bananza shows us a younger Pauline, emerging from underground with Donkey Kong, and starting her journey to fame as a street musician.
The post-ending artwork even shows teen Pauline busking on New Donk City’s streets, hinting at her rise to stardom and eventual political career. This gives fans a fresh look at her backstory and explains why she looks so young compared to Odyssey.
Reinterpreting Pauline’s “Captured by Ape” Line
Remember that quiz in Super Mario Odyssey where Pauline asks Mario if he knows about the time she was “captured by [an] ape”? Her reaction to a correct answer suggests it was a significant, traumatic event that shaped her. Previously, fans assumed this referred to the original 1981 Donkey Kong arcade game, where Donkey Kong “kidnaps” Pauline.
However, Bananza offers a new take. The “captured by ape” moment may actually refer to her abduction by Void Kong, a villain in Bananza. Plus, Donkey Kong himself acts more like a protective friend or even a father figure to Pauline throughout the game, rather than a kidnapper.
Could Donkey Kong Have Been Protecting Pauline All Along?
It’s an interesting theory that Donkey Kong’s role was to protect Pauline from Mario’s interference. In the original Donkey Kong game, Pauline’s cries for help might have been aimed at her giant ape guardian, not an actual threat. Given Mario’s complicated relationships (like his obsession with Princess Peach), perhaps Donkey Kong saw himself as a wiser protector.
While this flips the classic narrative on its head, it fits with Bananza’s portrayal of their friendship. Donkey Kong is more of an ally than an enemy.
Still Many Timeline Mysteries to Solve
Even with these revelations, the bigger Donkey Kong timeline puzzle remains messy. How Bananza connects to the Donkey Kong Country series, whether Cranky Kong is the original Donkey Kong, and how all the Rare-developed games fit into the modern lore is still up in the air.
But at least now, we have a clearer picture of how Donkey Kong and Pauline first met and became friends. That alone makes Bananza a must-play for fans curious about the deeper story behind these iconic characters.
